Each week, the Powell River Peak, Whistler Question, Squamish Chief and Coast Reporter are asking candidates running in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding in the May 2 federal election a question and reporting on their replies.
The second question is: What is your vision for the future of the Canadian economy?
Allan Holt, Western Block Party: The only hope for any economy is to get the government’s finger off the spend button. One should not be allowed to spend like a drunken sailor to get your vote and then tax it all back. There is no recorded history of any country taxing itself to prosperity. We seem to be in the “spend and tax phase of big brother politics.” It’s time to get government out of not only the bedrooms of the nation but the garages as well. It’s time to revamp the tax system as well as the spend system otherwise the future will be very bleak.
Terry Platt, New Democratic Party: I would like to see a Canada where the label “Made in Canada” is the rule, not the exception. For too many years now Canadian companies and factories have been shut down and jobs sent overseas. Many of these overseas manufacturers have poor human rights records and little to no environmental standards. Canada needs to become the exporter of value-added products, not the exporter of raw logs and well-paying jobs. Vacuum cleaners, cars, clothing, toys, kitchen appliances, furniture, heavy machinery, construction material—these items used to fill the markets, all carrying the “Made in Canada” label. We used to be the manufacturer of ships. Now, what has happened to our West Coast ship building capacity? Our ships are being built in Germany. Canadians need the jobs and our country needs the industry. Products made here mean jobs here. Jobs here mean taxes paid here and taxes paid here mean better social services and a better Canadian way of life.
Dan Veniez, Liberal Party: Our 21st century economy must feature a highly skilled and educated workforce where innovation and entrepreneurship are cornerstones. We are a world leader in clean and environmentally safe products. The Canadian economic union is strengthened and barriers taken down between provinces. We offer equality of opportunity to all and dramatically narrow the gap between the super rich and the rest of us. Our trade strategy leverages our unique multicultural heritage. We add value through manufacturing the resources that we currently export raw. We enjoy world-class infrastructure that facilitates productivity and quality of life. We breathe life into our arts and culture sectors. We maintain a healthy balance between a vibrant market economy and a stringent regulatory regime that unapologetically serves and protects Canadian values and vital national interests. Canada’s economy is where our quality of life, values, skills and mindset become a magnet for investment from around the world.
Brennan Wauters, Green Party: I envision a zero-waste and carbon-neutral future in which we operate value-added industries that build goods locally, instead of continuing to base our economy on the export of natural resources. Smart and efficient manufacturing accepts reduction, reuse, repair and retrofit as givens. For example, retrofitting buildings for high-energy performance creates green jobs in the short run and leaves us with something of value for the years ahead. Three-hundred million dollars this year alone for affordable housing in our Green Party budget is meant to target our greatest need, while also setting an example for all building upgrades and new construction, to include high performance energy efficiency as the norm. Organic agriculture, mass transit, value-added manufacturing, and alternative energy technologies—these are the clean growth opportunities of the future that make our economy self-sufficient, sustainable, resilient and able to provide Canadians with healthy and fulfilling lives.
John Weston, Conservative Party: I envision a Canadian economy that plays to Canada’s economic strengths while bolstering our values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Canada will be renowned for the strength of our education and the reliability of our work force. Our commodities will be prized but our added-value products and services will be sought after worldwide. Low taxes and peace, order and good government will continue to attract foreign investors, who will continue to create jobs for Canadians at all entry points of experience and education.
Governments will foster world-leading innovation, research and technology. Our strong economy will enable governments to continue to provide a strong safety net for those Canadians who need assistance. Individuals will voluntarily play a key role to help neighbours in distress. Canada’s economy will be a beacon of hope for the hopeless and a foundation of peace and prosperity everywhere.
